The 57th Fighter Group Association Presents: The 70th Year Commemoration of the World War II Palm Sunday – Cape Bon, Tunisia “Goose Shoot”

The 57th Fighter Group Association Presents: The 70th Year Commemoration of the World War II Palm Sunday – Cape Bon, Tunisia “Goose Shoot”

When:

Saturday, April 20, 2013 -

2:00pm to 3:30pm

What:

Lecture / Presentation

Location:

William M. Allen Theater

On April 18, 1943, the Allies scored the highest aerial victory count (76) of any allied mission during World War II, breaking the back of the aerial bridge that the Axis forces were using to retreat and evacuate from North Africa. This historic event was called the “Palm Sunday Massacre” & the Cape Bon “Goose Shoot”. Don Everly Smith, Commanding Officer of the 57th Fighter Group Association (WWII) and son of a 57th FG Army Air Corpsman that witnessed the entire Desert War, will moderate a panel discussion with 57th FG pilots that flew P-40 Warhawks against the Luftwaffe during Operation Torch in the desert & P-47 Thunderbolts during Operation Strangle in Italy. Carl Molesworth, noted military aviation and aircraft historian and author of “57th Fighter Group – “First in the Blue”, will present an overview of the 57FG, from their remarkable adventures getting to the war front , to their experiences during the North Africa Campaign leading up to the famous aerial battle off the coast of Tunisia. Mr. Molesworth will also be available to sign copies of his book, which is available in the Museum of Flight store.

Also, as a special offer, attendees can also participate in a pre-program presentation and discussion at noon by historian Carl Molesworth in the Quonset Hut inside the Personal Courage Wing, followed by an in-depth examination of the Wing's P-40, Spitfire, and ME-109 aircraft conducted by one of the Museum's excellent docents, Barry Latter. The tour will focus on the operations of the aircraft with particular focus on their performances in the North African theater of World War II. Taken together, these informative presentations will provide greater context for the topics discussed at the 2pm public program in the Allen Theater.

Event is free for Museum of Flight members or with daily admission to the Museum of Flight